Previously known as the door to the Klondike Gold Rush, Seattle itself has managed to morph into the shiny main attraction of the pacific northwest. It lies directly on the waters of Puget Sound and is surrounded by the Cascade Mountain Range to the east and the rainforests on the Olympic Peninsula to the west. The city is home to an impressive skyline, featuring its most notable architectural landmark, the Space Needle, in front of a spectacular view of the volcano Mount Rainier, the highest peak in the Cascades. If you are a fan of city trips, this dynamic city is one you should not miss out on! 

Highlights

Space Needle:

To get to the Space Needle, you could of course either walk or take a bus. But why not make the trip there special as well? Hop on the historic Seattle Monorail at Westlake Center Station (5th Ave and Pine St) in Downtown Seattle. The Monorail will take you directly to Seattle Center and the Space Needle.

Directly next to the space needle, you will find two museums: The Chihuly Garden & Glass museum, and the MoPop (Museum of Pop Culture). The colorful Chihuly museum currently offers eight galleries, showcasing Tacoma-born Dale Chihuly's glass art, a garden embellished with his glass monuments, as well as a 12 m (40 ft) tall suspended glass structure. The MoPop offers a look at a variety of contemporary culture historical objects, such as Jimi Hendrix's hat, as well as regularly changing exhibits on current and past pop culture. 

The bizarre looking Space Needle was constructed in 1962 as part of an exhibit for the World Fair. A panoramic elevator takes visitors up the 158 m (520 ft) to the observatory deck, where they can enjoy a 360° view of the city and its surroundings. 

If the $35 entry price of the Space Needle is too steep for you, or you would prefer a complete view of the city along with the space needle, Kerry Park may be a good alternative for you. The park is just 2.5 miles (4 km) from the Space needle (be sure to check out the International Fountain in Seattle Center on the way) and is perfect for a sunset picknick with the full skyline and Mount Rainier as your dreamy backdrop.

Lake Union:

Lake Union is located just a quick walk north from the Space Needle. A sunny day is the perfect chance to rent a kayak and go explore the area surrounding the lake. Paddle by the floating homes or towards Gas Works Park a gasification-plant-turned-public-park in the north. If you're not too tired after kayaking, be sure to head up north to witness what's under the George Washington Memorial Bridge. The The Troll Under The Bridge, also known as the Fremont Troll, is a 5.5 m (18 ft) concrete sculpture by four local artists and is the perfect place for a picture of Seattle's crazy side!

Alki Point:

A little south of Seattle is Alki Point, where the founders of Seattle originally wanted their settlement to be. Thankfully they decided against it, because Alki Point is perfect for spending a day at the beach and getting out of the city, without ever losing sight of Seattle! In case you get tired of the beach, Alki Point offers a picturesque lighthouse that is open to the public and just waiting to be explored!

Pioneer Square:

Pioneer Square marks the heart of Seattle's historic district: This was where Seattle's founders decided to settle in 1852. It is immediately recognizable by its distinct architectural style. An example of this style is Smith Tower which, before the Space Needle was constructed, was the highest building west of the Mississippi. Visit the Tower's observatory and bar to enjoy some more rooftop views. Pioneer Square is also the perfect place to grab a cup of coffee or relax in Waterfall Garden Park.

While of course every city has its history, Seattle's is especially ... remarkable. Don't miss out on Bill Speidel's Underground Tour. This 90 minute guided walking tour will take you back to Seattle's origin's, which lie beneath the streets of the modern day city. It surely is going to be the highlight of your day, as it is not only highly informative, but it also shines a light on just how stupidly funny Seattle's beginnings were. 

Sneak Peek: 

On the tour you will learn why Seattle residents used to climb ladders just to cross the street, what the steep streets have to do with the term 'skid row' and why sewer systems and tides don't mesh well...

Waterfront:

Seattle Waterfront is a bustling area with lots to offer. This is where Pike Place Market, the famous fish and farmer's market is located. While buying a fish may not be on the top of your list, Pike Place offers many other stands as well. Make sure to try a donut! The name of the market may sound familiar as just down the road you will find the original Starbucks! It is still open, however lines are usually very long. If you don't want to wait, no problem; the waterfront has tons of great coffee shops. 

Make sure to have some chewing gum with you when you take a left and walk down the alley right in front of Pike Place's entrance, to visit Seattle's most colorful main attraction: the Gum Wall. While it may sound disgusting to some, visitor's from all around the world stick their chewed pieces of gum on the wall to not only add to the attraction, but to leave something of theirs behind in the city. Authorities decided to clear the wall of its 2,350 pounds (1,070 kg) of gum in 2015, when erosion threatened the longevity of the wall. But visitors have since continued the tradition and the wall is as worth seeing now, as ever. 

Seattle seems to offer up a never-ending list of viewing points. Another major one is the Great Wheel at Pier 57. At 53.3 m (175 feet) this is an exhilarating chance to see both the waterfront and the ferries coming and going. The waterfront ends with Seattle's ferry terminal. The ferry trip over to Bainbridge Island or Bremerton on the Olympic Peninsula is a chance to relax in the fresh ocean air while being able to both admire Puget Sound's natural beauty and Seattle's skyline. As this is one of the less tourist-y attractions, you will also get the chance to have a chat with the locals!

For Film Buffs:

You will find that Seattle is the backdrop for many movies and series. Grey's Anatomy fans can see Meredith's house from the first few seasons right next to Kerry Park, while 10 Things I Hate About You fans will feel right at home at Gas Works Park or at the Fremont Troll. And for everybody who loves watching Sleepless in Seattle: keep an eye out for Sams's floating home at Lake Union!

A trip to Seattle is perfect for everyone looking for a fun city trip with a lot of time spent exploring outside. There is no need for a car, as public transport can take you pretty much everywhere you need to go. However, if you have more time on your hands and have the possibility to rent a car, you should checkout the surrounding areas as well! 

Find out more: Olympic Peninsula and Pacific Northwest